The Together project (2019-1-PT01-KA203-060772) has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The Together project (2019-1-PT01-KA203-060772) has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Training Package for University Students



Module 4
CONTEXT AND RELATIONS

Table of Content

Chapter 4.4. Selected national contexts
4.4.1 Greek context

Most of the successful initiatives for the promotion of social inclusion of refugees in the country are good practices developed by community stakeholders (NGOs, civil-society stakeholders, groups of individuals) and, to some extent, higher education institutions either at local level or fell within the scope of plurilateral EU funded initiatives (see also the country profile in the study report “Higher Education for Third Country National and Refugee Integration in Southern Europe”” within the framework of the TandEM project, led by the IOM). The main challenges that have to be overcome in these cases are: (i) the difficulty to expand the locally implemented actions so that to increase the capacity to involve refugees who live in other regions on one hand, and (ii) the continuation (sustainability) of funding when an EU funded project comes to an end on the other. Below are mentioned several noteworthy examples of local actions implemented by HEIs and community actors. Some of them are included, among numerous others, in the Refugee Welcome Map of the TOGETHER project.
▪ The “VAI project” was set up under the coordination of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (city of Thessaloniki) and was implemented by a consortium of 10 partners from the academia, civil society, local authorities and media, with the objective to explore innovative actions for social integration and active participation of third country nationals The project aimed at promoting new arrangements of volunteering among migrants. Guidelines on how volunteering can contribute to the better integration of third-country nationals, as well as pilot actions were developed.
▪ Another interesting initiative launched by the Thessaloniki Centre for Integration of Immigrants is the “Refugee radio in Thessaloniki”. Refugees are volunteering to bring their music, their stories and their journalistic skills to a radio programme at the Thessaloniki’s municipal radio station FM100, aimed at both migrant and refugee populations and the local community.
▪ The “Laboratory of Exercise Psychology & Quality of Life” of the School of Physical Education & Sport Science of the University of Thessaly (city of Trikala) has developed the ‘Exercise Program for Refugees’ with the aim to promote equality in the society and tolerance against xenophobia and racism, through sports and physical activities. It engages refugees, graduate and postgraduate students and academic staff, enhancing social inclusion through cooperation and team building.
▪ ELIX NGO (city of Athens) runs since 2017 the EU funded educational project “Quality Learning and Non-Formal Education for Refugees and Migrant Children in Greece” for refugee and immigrant children and their parents in Greece. The aim of this project is to provide non-formal education and homework support to refugee and migrant children, as well as their parents, contributing thus to their smooth integration into the formal education system through innovative educational methods.
▪ PRAXIS NGO (city of Serres) has developed a series of activities that bring together youth from all over Europe and the local refugee community, encouraging interaction in a safe and inclusive environment. Courses and workshops promoting social inclusion, social events (cinema nights, group games, personal life experiences exchange) and sports events are provided. All activities and projects contribute to the better integration of young migrants and refugees.

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